Dead to the World
By Cedric Thanatos
Chapter 3
Autumn 1978
Kitoku was meeting with Kara and Leonora to do the shopping in Diagon Alley before they returned to Hogwarts for there sixth year. And again Donovan could not be convinced to go shopping in the crowded London streets. All three girls had passed their O.W.L.S. with remarkable ease. The only subject Kitoku had problems with was Arithmancy. But, she couldn't be good in everything. She had received an A in that subject. But in all of her other test she had received O's and E's. Today she was going to make the best of everything. She was particularly proud of her O in potions and her English had improved quiet a bit though, her accent was still heavy. When Leonora went to buy more owl treats and food for her owl, Kitoku caught sight of a particularly scared looking skinny long haired black cat. She was drawn to it.
"Spooks." She read off of the nametag and she scooped him up, for she was sure that it was a tomcat. He instead of flinching away began to purr as he rubbed his chin on her cheek. Kitoku giggled
"That cat hasn't taken to anyone 'sides you yet. He was a right old scare lil thing when we gots 'im. Born on the street with all them other cats, he watch his brothers and sisters go all summer 'e 'as. Been scared of all me customers 'sept you. Why I name 'im Spooks it is."
"How horrible. I do not know how to take care of a cat, I would be confused."
"Cats is easy they is. Pay mind to them own selves they do. You just got to feed em and let em have fresh water. They take care of the rest they do. We set you up with a delivery system when you 'as Hogwarts we do. You pay for a year of food and you get it fresh each week ya do. We just mail it right to ya, no trouble on your part. No trouble at all miss."
"I want this cat very much, but I must ask my Grendmere."
"As the lady wishes. We hold 'im for ya today we will. Just ask for 'im and you got 'im miss. Mind ya miss, we only be holdin' 'im for today."
Kitoku's grandmother allowed her to get the cat and she set up the cat food delivery for her once school started. She carried the cat with her into the apothecary. She spoke to the cat in French asking him not to leap on anything and he curled in her arm and lay his head down to sleep. Kitoku managed to hold the cauldron in the hand while gathering ingredients from the shelves in packages and jars. But, when Kitoku came to the set of new vials and flask, she looked around in a search to her answers. Kara had already done her shopping and was waiting for her at the Ice Cream shop. Kitoku made her way up to the front of the store where a sallow faced young man with a crooked nose and long shining black hair was tied back with a fraying ribbon. She carefully set down the cauldron, but Spooks woke when she shifted him.
"Excuse me, but I am needing some help wi'z the set of unbreakable glass." As she spoke the young man looked up and seemed to falter a little before composing himself. Before he spoke to answer her however the feisty cat had jumped down and landed on the young man. The long haired black cat met the long haired young man and promptly licked him on the nose before jumping back down and batting at Kitoku to get back in her arms. "I am so sorry! I did not know he would do that." The young man looked like he might have more color in his cheeks then he did before.
"It's not a problem, I like cats. Umm, you needed a set of unbreakable glass. I can get that for you." The young man managed to say stumbling only slightly. Kitoku followed him to the section where they kept the sets of vials and flasks.
"I need the bigger one." She said as he reached for the standard set.
"Do you make a lot of potions?"
"I am study at Hogwarts this year. I am told we do lot of work in N.E.W.T.S. Potions, and I want to be prepared and I am very good, but sometimes I am not so lucky with my partner."
"I was at Hogwarts, and I never saw you."
"Ohh, I study at Bauxbatons my first four years. I am exchange student."
"Here we go. Did you, did you find everything all right?"
"Ohh yes, it is very easy to find what I need, it is very well umm.. organized. Is that the right word?"
"Yes, it is."
"I am study English very hard but sometime I have problem remembering word."
"You're better then I am, I don't speak a work of French."
"That is shame. You should learn sometime."
"Maybe I will." The young man bent carefully to add up her total. Kitoku paid and the apologized for her cat again.
Severus was left alone as she walked out the door; today had been a slow day. Then an amused voice crept into his ear. "You should learn sometime! Ahh Severus my man, I have just a few quick words I know how your boss would hate for your friends to interrupt this busy day." Lucius Malfoy had been hiding behind a stack of cauldrons.
"He isn't here today." Severus let off easily.
"Well no wonder you feel able to flirt with a customer."
"I wasn't flirting, I was being friendly to a customer."
"I am not here to argue with you about your flirtations, I am here to tell you that I need you to go to Madam Malkin's after you get off of work. You and Nott will be wearing the same robes next month, and Bellatrix wanted to approve your outfits compared with Narcissa's. It's really all a bother, but it's how my Narcissa wants it, so I would be happy to entertain her ideas."
Severus gave a quick sneer. "Bellatrix is approving your taste? She has the fashion sense of a cow."
"Well, I quiet agree, but she is Narcissa's sister, and she will be my dear sister in law. I should get used to having her around. Especially since she will be joining us." Lucius said in a slightly irritated tone.
"You mean with…"
"Yes, and I dare say we shant say anymore until it's done." Lucius swept out the door and was gone just as the girl had left. Severus took up a broom and began sweeping the empty store.
Kitoku met Leonora and Kara outside the ice cream shop, where Spook woke and immediately ducked his head into Kitoku's elbow to hide.
"That is weird, he jus' licked the nose of the young man in the apothecary." Kitoku said out loud to the shock of Kara.
"What an icky cat. You should get it tested for poisons."
"Why?"
"That young man is Severus Snape."
"So what do I care his name is?"
"He and Kara's brother were right ol rivals a couple years back while they were still at Hogwarts." Leonora tried to clarify.
"I didn't know you has a brother."
"Yeah well I don't talk to him much. With our parents dead and all, we don't have much to talk about I guess. He's wrote me telling me he wants me back for Christmas."
"I wish my sisters were still alive so I could talk to them." Kitoku bowed her head. Kara opened her mouth to say something but then couldn't. "I am no hungry anymore. I am done shopping, I 'sink I should jus' go 'ome now." Kitoku rose and bumped into a tall blond man.
"Very sorry dear. Ohh" he said looking up. "You're William Barker's sister aren't you." Leonora blushed a little.
"Yes, and you are Lucius Malfoy."
"Ohh you knew who I am, very good. Well I am sure I will see you again soon." Lucius entered the Ice Cream shop. Spooks looked up long enough to throw a hiss at the strangers back before hiding in Kitoku's elbow again.
"Who was that?" Kara asked interested.
"Lucius Malfoy soon to be married to Narcissa Black. Their wedding in the talk of the town- so to speak. He and my brother are friends."
"What did he mean?" Kara looked suspiciously at the Ice Cream shop.
"I have no idea." The girls made there way back to the Three Broomsticks where their families were waiting for them.
It was just over a month later that Lucius and Narcissa were married. And it was shortly after that when Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Black took on the Dark Mark and became the servants of an unforgiving master.
Back at Hogwarts Kara had been slightly distant but Kitoku noticed that she was receiving more Owls then she had the year before. Kitoku left her to her privacy studying had become something she and her friends were having to spend a lot of time doing. They had a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She didn't seem to be as good as the teacher they had had the year before. Leonora had told her that they had had a new Defense teacher every year she could remember. So far Kitoku was grateful she had not continued some of the subjects that Kara and Leonora were taking, she had a hard enough time keeping up with her homework, however she maintained her high grades, and while she wasn't the best student in the school, she did very well.
Her head of house and potions professor had begun inviting her to his parties and Kitoku was making new friends with those who were dubbed in the 'Slug Club'. Kitoku somehow felt a sense of belonging and a little bit of wholeness. Spooks was prone to prowl around at night and tended to crawl into her bag before breakfast. She ended up carrying him all over the castle when he would occasionally poke his head out of her bag and hiss at someone or more likely duck back in after nudging Kitoku with his wet nose.
Severus was working diligently on a second textbook every minute he didn't have to sleep or work in the shop. It was however a surprise when someone knocked on his door at six in the evening. Lucius staggered in half drunk and carrying a large bottle of an expensive looking wine.
"CONGRADULATIONS!" Lucius shouted merrily as Severus shut the door. "We need glasses." Lucius went into Severus's kitchen and brought out two very clean glasses and poured them both full of the wine. "Now ask me why I am celebrating, and why you should congratulate me!"
"Why are you celebrating Lucius?"
"Narcissa is pregnant! Just found out today. Had to share it with my best mate! And of course Durmstrang has adopted your book! Ohh your text will be a success. Drink with me." And Severus drank of the fine wine enjoying the subtle flavors. "Now I have a serious matter to discuss with you."
"Alright."
"I would like you to be the Godfather of this baby if it's a boy."
Severus was shocked. He had no idea that he truly was Lucius's best friend in the world. At the same time he was honored. "I am flattered beyond words Lucius."
"Then you will?"
"Yes, yes I will." Lucius smiled and poured more wine. They drank until the bottle was gone and the left to find a pub full of fire whisky. They drank deep and celebrated far into the night.
"Kitoku! Kitoku! They said yes! I've got the owl here! My brother will be home this Christmas and everything! Ohh this is the perfect birthday!" Leonora danced up to her.
"I got you something." Said Kitoku cautiously, holding out a package.
"Ohh, you didn't have to do that."
"But I wanted to, it isn't much. But you are my first friend since I came to Hogwarts." Kitoku blushed as Leonora opened the package. She pulled out a box containing a necklace that held a small blue stone. "It was my sister Carolina's she left it at the house. Our parents gave it to her when she turned eleven."
"Ohh Kitoku, you shouldn't, if you have a daughter, you could give it to her, or wear it yourself. You shouldn't give it to me."
"I have a necklaces to give to any daughters I might have. But you mean very much to me. Please Leonora, I want you to have it." Kitoku brought a necklace out from under her robes. "You see they gave me one too." The necklace held a purple stone.
"Ohh thank you Kitoku, thank you so much." Leonora hugged her and they cried a little as silly girls do.
Kitoku had lived with her grandparents for a couple of years, and she knew they were wealthy, but they did not live as if they were wealthy. Her parents had never lived as if they were wealthy, but Kitoku had a sizable fund when she came of age that would all go to her. But seeing wealth is the Barker home was something different. They did not live like her family had. The house was extravagant and located in the country it helped keep muggles away. Kitoku and Leonora arrived by car. There was a driver who had picked them up from Kings Cross Station in a long black vehicle. A limousine Leonora had explained to her. They had food and beverages in the back of the vehicle so they were not exhausted with hunger when they arrived at Leonora's home late that night. Kitoku was so excited to be somewhere where people lived as if they could burn their money.
Leonora's family was happy enough to greet her and see that she was comfortable but they spend a majority of their time in the company of Leonora's older brother William. William was a handsome enough fellow but a little uptight.
"Nora dear I have received an invitation from the younger Mrs. Malfoy that you and I are to attend her Christmas party on the 20th. I assume I should right back that you are entertaining and that your could not be so rude as to attend a party where you guest is not invited." He spoke as he wrote the reply.
"Yes thank you brother."
"Oh, I do not mind if you want to go, I could use quiet night to study."
"Don't be silly Kitoku dear," William spoke to her. "You are sure to get an invitation now. They will send it back rephrased to include you I am certain." He gave the girls a small smile. "Now I must off to bed. You girls should do the same.
"Is he always such a prig?" Kitoku asked after he had left the room.
"Yes." Leonora giggled. "And I hate the way he calls me Nora."
So it was as Mr. William Barker predicted, and the two girls were getting ready to attend a great wizarding Christmas party. They dressed in finery, Kitoku wore her purple dress robes and changed her hair from it's normal ponytail to an upsweep that made her look just a tad older then she was. Leonora wore pale pink and William wore traditional and boring black. Leonora's parents really didn't care that they were going but wished them a safe journey and bid William to look after his sister and her guest. Kitoku had thought that the Barker home was lavish. But it seemed insignificant compared to Malfoy Manor. Kitoku was dazed and had to fight the urge to stare up at the Manor with her mouth agape. Kitoku entered the ballroom with Leonora on her arm. They laughed there way in. Many people were gathered around in varied groups.
"William! Good to see you again." Said the blond man Kitoku had run into at the Ice Cream shop.
"Lucius my friend, Happy Yule and Merry Christmas."
"Same to you. This must be your sister and her friend. I was glad to hear you had accepted the invitation as you did."
"Not at all Lucius, I simply didn't want anyone to feel any ill of any other."
"And what is your name darling, I'm afraid neither William or Leonora have introduced us yet. I am Lucius Malfoy, my wife is our hostess tonight, and that would make me the host."
"Kitoku Thamis, good to meet you monsieur Malfoy."
"Ohh you're French. No wonder I haven't heard of you."
"I live in England very short time yes."
"How darling. Leonora how splendid you look tonight. Come all of you, you simply must say hello to Narcissa, she will be so glad you made it William." They followed Lucius as he seemed to glide across the floor and met his charming and beautiful wife. Next to her stood the young man whose nose Spooks had licked. Kitoku met his eyes briefly and she blushed turning her gaze away from his.
"Now, I believe that this young woman is one that you have met Severus. Her name is Kitoku, and you should be very nice to her she is a friend of William's family."
"I am very rarely rude to your guest Lucius." The man did not smile, but kind of smirked.
"You should be nicer to Bella, she would be if you were." Narcissa chided him.
"Ahh but she is not a guest, she is family." Severus replied. "However I will do my best to not offend her this evening."
"Lucius I hope you would not be terribly offended if I asked your wife to dance."
"Not so long as your sister agrees to dance with me."
They both nodded and then took the lady by the hand and led them to the dance floor, leaving Kitoku alone with Severus. He wore nice green dress robes.
"Well, I suppose the nice thing to do would to ask you to dance, or to show you to a young man who would be much better at dancing then I would be."
"I do not mind. I am only here because of Leonora, she has been most kind to me."
"Well would you like to dance?"
"Only if you are asking."
"Very well." Severus held out his hand and Kitoku took it. They walked to the dance floor and began in the middle of the song. Thus did Kitoku dance for the first time with a stranger, not a complete stranger for she had met the man before but had never been introduced.
Donovan had kept up his promise to a point, Kitoku did receive at least one letter every week and she always send one to him, but Donovan's letter's became less meaningful and more distant, he had informed her that he had to study over Christmas and would not be seeing her, as he had done the year before. She had not seen Donovan since she had stepped onto the train at the beginning of the school year. She missed him terribly, but now she had a new person to write to.
It was only a few weeks later after students had resumed classes at Hogwarts, that Severus received another drunken visit from his friend Lucius. In January of 1979 just a few days before his twentieth birthday he received terrible news.
"Narcissa lost the baby." Before his blond friend wept until he collapsed unconscious.